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Digital cameras and DSLRs have made taking photos and videos much easier so that more people can capture moments and document great experiences without the bulk of the old cameras and video recorders. And one of the best ways to ensure that you produce quality photos and videos is by investing in a camera stabilizer. Luckily, there are plenty of them on the market these days. However, having one is not enough as people also need to learn how to set up a camera stabilizer the correct way.
Keep in mind that although you may have a great camera and the best camera stabilizer, if you do not know the proper way of setting them up, then you cannot get the results that you wanted. This is why it is best to understand how a particular tool works so that you’d know the best way to utilize it.
Yes, people can simply find a surface where they can place their cameras and use their timers to take photos and videos. This technique, however, limits the shots and videos one can make with their cameras.
A camera stabilizer helps users take some professional-looking images. Notice how your hands often shake while taking photos and how such movements reflect on the images you captured. Using your hands to take the photo is easy, but not necessarily the best way to take quality images.
Additionally, a camera stabilizer helps lessen the vibration while you are holding the phone. It also allows users to take shots and videos from a longer range.
Some camera stabilizers even have advanced features that allow users to use different kinds of modes when shooting. Some products have auto-face recognition and time-lapse function to make the shooting process a smooth and pleasurable task.
Before buying a camera stabilizer, it is best to know what you want from this product. Keep in mind that products vary in their features, virtues, and flaws.
One of the things to keep in mind is the camera support, after all, the primary function of a camera stabilizer is to hold the camera steadily regardless of the size.
Checking the balance is essential, too. Most camera stabilizers use a thin pole. One must check how the tool is designed to ensure that the camera can be balanced despite the thinness of the pole so that the camera does not tip over or worse, fall on the ground.
Many product manufacturers also offer some shock absorber. This is because it is essential that the recording is not interrupted by any bumps for a steady record of videos or taking of pictures.
Dimension and weight are two things that one must also keep in mind when buying a camera stabilizer. Comfort is one primary factor for many buyers, and this is the reason why plenty of product makers prefer to produce a stabilizer with a thin pole. Having a lightweight and portable camera stabilizer is a primary concern for many buyers.
However, buyers should remind themselves that stability and balance should not be compromised in the name of comfort and portability.
Buyers also must think about the locking mechanism of the product. What features did the manufacturer incorporate in the product’s design to ensure that the camera does not fall easily and the stabilizer can hold on its own? After all, no one wants to see their cameras on the ground and broken.
Some also come with 360-degree rotation option and push-button technology for versatility as well as ease of use for the users. Others also come with some quick release feature so taking the camera out from the stabilizer is convenient and does not consume much time.
One of the most important things to consider when buying a camera stabilizer is the size of the camera and the stabilizer. Naturally, a large camera is unlikely to be supported by a small and compact stabilizer while a small camera might easily slip off from a large stabilizer.
These are some of the things buyers must consider when purchasing a camera stabilizer. Take the time to read up on the different products on the market to determine which product to buy and what features are important to you.
Normally, a camera stabilizer would come with a quick-release feature, a handle, a central post, plates, a platform, and accessories. However, do take note that camera stabilizers vary, and some products will have more items in the box than others.
How to set up a camera stabilizer starts by assembling the item. And this task can only be done by reading the instruction manual provided by the product maker.
Unfortunately, many users are too excited to take the time to read the proper instruction and go ahead with the assembly. This is wrong as one might end up breaking or damaging the product or the item won’t work the way it should be.
Step 1: To assemble, take out the head plate by removing the screw on the side knobs.
Step 2: Start loosening the Allen bolt located at the quick-release adapter’s bottom and proceed to attach it to the top of the plate.
Step 3: Go to the base platform if there is one and start attaching the central pole to the base plate. This process entails loosening the bolts and screwing it back after connecting the two parts. You may want to add some weights to the base platform if the package comes with it.
It is important to consult the user guide often when assembling the camera stabilizer to see whether you are following the right process.
Step 4: Gently hold the stabilizer in its handle, then pay attention to the weights. Notice whether the camera seems to outweigh the weights and remove or add weights until you see that the stabilizer is stable.
Step 5: Make sure that the top, the one with the camera and the base plates with the weights seem equal. One option to keep the two balanced is to raise the telescoping pole to add more weight to the bottom part.
Step 6: Once you are content with how the top and bottom are stable and balanced, then adjust the lock mechanism found on the camera plate until you reach the desired position for your camera.
You may want to use other kinds of stands like a light stand or a mic stand to keep the stabilizer standing when you are balancing the stabilizer and the camera. It is also highly recommended to find a leveled ground or surface so that you can balance the stabilizer and the camera without much hassle.
Today’s technology gifted us with more sophisticated cameras, and the best way to maximize its use is to invest in a reliable camera stabilizer.
